Which Perry will we see on campaign trail?

AUSTIN — As Texas' governor laces up his presidential running shoes, you might wonder which Rick Perry will hit the campaign trail.

There's the Perry who said same-sex marriage is an issue for states to decide, and the one who emphasized his support for a U.S. constitutional amendment specifying that marriage is between a man and a woman.

There's the Perry who's promoted a focus on abstinence in sex education and gladdened social conservatives by pushing for abortion restrictions, and the one who tried to require preteen girls to be vaccinated against a sexually transmitted virus linked to cancer.

There's the Perry who stands by a law he signed allowing in-state tuition for children of illegal immigrants, and the one who raised worries among Hispanics by championing failed anti-sanctuary-city legislation.

Complex views can be expected on complex issues, but if he runs, any sign of contradiction will raise questions among voters just learning about Perry.

Perry spokeswoman Katherine Cesinger said the vaccine issue was an example of being “on the side of protecting life.” She said the sanctuary-cities legislation was meant to give law enforcement officers needed tools, while tuition rates affect students “who want to rely on a good education instead of government services to provide for themselves.”

The increased scrutiny was clear when Perry stood by his states' rights beliefs to proclaim it “fine with me” that New York allowed same-sex marriage. After a backlash among some social conservatives, Perry specified that gay marriage itself isn't fine with him and emphasized his support for a federal marriage amendment.

An amendment would require ratification of three-fourths of the states, and his staff said that would preserve states' rights.

Dennis Goldford, professor of politics at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, called Perry's position “apparently inconsistent” and cast it as, “‘I strongly believe in the 10th Amendment — except when I don't.'”

The flap comes as voters are learning about Perry, who “is certainly not known to Iowa Republicans the way Sarah Palin is. He would certainly have to make his case,” Goldford said. “He's got a great head of hair. But is there any ‘there' under the hair?”

A fresh look at his positions isn't the only thing Perry will face if he makes the race, said state Sen. Leticia Van de Putte, D-San Antonio. “If he runs, he's actually got to speak to editorial boards. He actually has to do a debate.”

Perry skipped editorial board meetings in his 2010 re-election bid and wouldn't debate challenger Bill White because the Democrat wouldn't release all the past tax returns that Perry said he should.

But before he worries about debates, Perry has Saturday's prayer rally in Houston to attend.

Event spokesman Eric Bearse said Friday that more than 8,000 people had signed up. Perry earlier said he hopes the 71,500-capacity Reliant Stadium is “completely full.”